Justin Danforth vs Springfield Thunderbirds 3/26/17 (Grade B+)

Sunday’s rematch against the Thunderbirds was just as good as the first tilt. Derek Grant stayed hot registering his 6^th goal in 3 games, and Linus Ullmark recorded his first shutout of the year. Even though playoff aspirations are a distant memory, it was nice to see the team play with pride this weekend. Their newfound confidence will certainly be put to the test on Friday when the Comets come to town.

Like Alex Kile, the latest Amerks college prospect, Justin Danforth surpassed expectations. This year Justin finished up his senior year at Sacred Heart with a team high 32 points. Unlike Kile, he seemed more than comfortable with the speed of the game, and in fact he set the pace. Danforth was a wrecking ball in the fore-checking game and was very unlucky to be kept off the score sheet. 

Unfortunately, his defensive aggression landed him in the penalty box once, and he was very lucky not to receive a second minor right when he got out. For those two reasons Danforth narrowly avoided my first A of the year. I am going to rate his performance a B+.

Danforth’s Defensive work was the catalyst for his offensive production. He did such an amazing job stripping the puck cleanly that his turnovers became instant offense. There were four main plays that told the story of his night. 

The first was generated from pure hustle in the offensive zone. He tracked down a defenseman and trapped him behind the net. He was then able to strip the puck and get into the slot. From there he ripped a nice low shot on the short side above the right pad. Somehow the goalie was barely able to get a blocker on it.  

The second came on a turnover at neutral ice. Danforth was able to win a fight for the puck with a crafty stick lift. However, he immediately had pressure in his face. With a backtracking forward quickly closing in on him he slid a backhand pass to Dupuy that split the defenders giving him a breakaway. That kind of grace under pressure was very refreshing to see from a player just starting his professional career.  

His intelligence also showed in his third impact play of the night. Late in his shift he busted out to the point, got low, and blocked a shot, giving him a chance at a breakaway. Unfortunately, his fatigue allowed the defender to catch up to him quickly. Instead of taking him on, Danforth skated the puck across the ice to the left wing (drawing another defender in the process) and slung a perfect saucer pass across the slot to a cutting Muzito-Bagenda.

On his final opportunity he flashed a bit of elite skill. After intercepting a pass on the boards he broke into the offensive zone with speed. Danforth then made a sweet stick-handling move to generate space for a shot. He quickly capitalized on his window with a short side wrister in the slot that caught the keeper off guard. Although it was shot through a partial screen, the goalie just managed to get a piece of his stick to it and keep Danforth off the score sheet.  

Even though he wasn’t able to score, Danforth put forth the exact type of effort needed to secure Ullmark his first shut out. If this game is any indication of his professional work ethic, I would love to see the Amerks sign him through next year.  His hard working, aggressive style is exactly what Rochester needs to consistently win games.

Alex Kile vs Springfield Thunderbirds 3/24/17 (Grade A-)

Rochester's new ATO performed admirably on the left wing in his first game at the Blue Cross Arena. After finishing his senior year at Michigan with 7 goals and 7 assists, Alex Kile was quick to get on the score sheet for the Amerks, netting his first goal Friday night. Though he looked a bit raw, his performance was very encouraging. I'm going to rate him an A-.

Offensively, Kile's hard work allowed him to grow into the game very nicely. In the first period he was very shaky on the puck and struggled to find teammates starting the breakout. Alex was also slow in transition, and as a result was not able to make an impact on the rush. However, he was much more successful once possession was set up in the offensive zone. Kile’s best asset was his commitment to driving the net. In the second, he made a nice backdoor cut behind a defenseman allowing him to deflect Patrick Mullen's shot between the legs of the Springfield net-minder. He continued to make an impact in front of the net in the latter stages of the game. While on the power play he set up a great screen allowing to Grant to score from the point. I was very impressed that he was able to find a niche so quickly in the Rochester offense.

Defensively, Kile ended up out of position a few times, but his high work rate allowed him to make a positive impact anyway. A good example of this came in the second period when he was caught defending in front of Ullmark. He was able to gradually force a much bigger man across the crease keeping his stick lifted the whole time. Kile's biggest contributions came in the forechecking game. He was able to put pressure on the defense consistently, and it almost led to a second goal. After forcing a turnover, he beat his man and whipped a wrist shot towards the top corner on the short side. Unfortunately, the goalie was barely able to get his blocker up and get a piece of it.

Even though there were a few holes in Kile's game, his professional career is off to a great start. After a very successful four year stint with the Wolverines I am hopeful that he can remain a part of the Amerks roster going forward. He still lacks a bit of polish, but I think Kile will have success when he catches up to the speed at this level.

Mac Bennett vs Toronto Marlies 3/10/17 (Grade N/R)

Though Mac Bennett was among the Amerks best players on Wednesday, he did not receive a similar amount of ice time on Friday night. For that reason I am not going to assign a rating to his performance. I think he played well, but his identity as a forward still remains quite foggy.

Offensively, Bennett was not able to contribute. I thought he worked very hard, but chemistry on the breakout was a major issue. They had difficulty clearing the zone and as a result, spent very little time in the opponents half. The lack of chemistry was even more evident in neutral ice. Early on, Bennett tried cutting behind Cornel to set up a drop pass entering the zone. Unfortunately, Cornel did not expect it and the two collided resulting in a turnover. Though zone entry was a struggle, Bennett was able to get a few pucks deep. However, it was very rare that an Amerk was able to retrieve it.

Defensively, Bennett seemed much more comfortable. He pressured the puck well, and back-checked exceptionally. On one occasion he harassed his man from behind his net all the way into the offensive zone before basting him into the glass. Bennett continued to consistently finish his checks for the duration of the night. Mac also did a good job helping out on the boards in the defensive zone. He was quick to double, and in most cases was able to separate the puck.

On Wednesday, for the first time, I started to see Bennett as a forward. Even though he took a step back on Friday, I still think he has potential. Considering the influx of playmaking defenseman on the roster, he has little to no chance of getting any time on the point.

Eric Cornel vs Toronto Marlies 3/8/17 (Grade E)

Going into Wednesday night, I had very low expectations for Eric Cornel. He by no means surpassed them. I am going to rate his performance an E, for Elmira. It was made very clear throughout the night his primary focus was on playing safe defensive hockey. In my eyes, Cornell only put fourth one shift of impressive hockey the entire game, during which he took two very good low shots that generated big rebounds.

For the majority of the night Cornel offered very little offensively. He was most ineffective on the breakout. Early in the game, with plenty of time and no one around, he panicked flipping the puck high off the glass and right at the feet of a Marlie defender. Later on he had a chance to get behind defenders and start an odd man rush. Instead of skating into space along the wing (the natural choice for a winger) he cut inside towards the defender. Not surprisingly, the pass from Austin went up the wing and missed him completely. Cornel showed good hustle to beat the icing call, but missed a big opportunity. Finally, during an odd man rush he failed to get around his man and drive the net. If Cornel succeeded he would have easily been able to bang home the rebound that came off the pad at the far post.

During his power play time, even when he got himself in good positions Cornel wasn’t able to capitalize. His best opportunity came from a good cut into the slot. Instead of taking a one-timer, Cornel tried to receive the pass in traffic and lost it before getting off a shot. Later with the puck on the baseline he was able to sneak out into the slot. With his back to goal I though he had an opportunity turn and take a quick shot catching the goalie off guard. He opted to force a pass into traffic that was easily intercepted and cleared.

For all his shortcomings in the offensive game, Cornel managed an acceptable performance on the other side of the puck. He did and exceptional job man marking in all areas. He tracked forwards well in the neutral zone, and didn’t give defenseman enough room on the point to operate effectively. He even managed to block a couple incoming shots. The one thing I would have like to see more in Cornel's game was a fore-checking presence.  It was very rare to see him pressuring the puck at all. As a fourth line forward he needs to bring a spark when he hits the ice, and I just didn’t see that from him.

There are aspects of Cornel’s game that are very attractive, but I don’t think there is enough for him to succeed at the AHL level.  During the 55 games he has played in Rochester, his numbers reflect that. He has only accumulated 14 points and 44 shots on goal. Cornel is still only twenty years old, so there is still time to for him to develop the weaker parts of his game; but he certainly has a lot to work on going forward.

Justin Vaive vs Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3/4/2017 (Grade A-)

Though Rochester might already be eliminated from playoff contention, they could have finally found a winning formula. Their dismantling of Sound Tigers on Saturday night was by far one of the most physical games they have played all year. I expect this type of effort was exactly what coach Lambert was looking for when saying, “The team needs to play the way they are supposed to play.”  As a result, they outshot the visitors 44 to 16.  However, not everyone bought into the physical style of dump and chase hockey. Nick Baptiste continued to struggle; He seemed more interested in trying to stickhandle past the entire Bridgeport team rather than dumping the puck. Consequentially, the most talented player on the roster was rendered completely ineffective.

 

On the other hand, Justin Vaive flourished. I am going to rate his performance an A-. He almost perfectly performed the role of a 4^th line winger. If he had dropped the gloves after an enemy winger ran Ullmark knocking the net off its moorings, he would have received my first A of the year.

 

Offensively, Vaive put forth the effort of a man fighting to keep his career alive. When the puck was dumped, he worked hard to dig it out, and delivered a blow when he was not the first man to it. Once establishing control of the puck, he drove the net hard and almost beat Halak on a rebound chance. Vaive also used his big frame to establish a net-front presence and screen a couple shots from the point.

 

Like most two-way players, the majority of his impact came on defense. He set the tone with his physicality, establishing there would be a price to pay for beating him to the puck. Even though he didn’t have the speed to generate turnovers in the fore-checking game, he was able to finish his checks with power. While constantly slamming Sound Tigers into the boards, he timed his checks well enough to stay out of the penalty box. The only aspect of the game he struggled with, was the ability to effectively pressure defenseman on the point. Because he sunk in deeper to protect the net, he didn’t have the speed to get out on the point quick enough to block shots. 

 

Vaive is the first player on the chopping block if the team wants to make a move. He doesn’t kill penalties, and has been replaced by Fasching as the most effective front man on the roster. In order for him to stick around, he needs to continue standing out in the checking game. I think his style of hockey is directly in line with coach Lambert ‘s expectations. As long as that remains the case, he will continue to stay in the lineup.

 

Tap-ins  

 

The difference Saturday was the playmaking ability of the Rochester blue liners. Unlike the night before, Bodie had a quick trigger and potted 2 goals. Fedun added two assists and a game-winning goal in overtime. And even Brady Austin continued to improve upon his offensive presence on the point, taking a few great shots into traffic.

 

After letting in a couple soft goals against the Ice Caps, Ullmark followed it up with one of his worst performances of the year, letting in 3 goals on 16 shots. He almost cost the Amerks the game when he was taken out by a teammate behind his net late in the third. Luckily, the empty net goal was disallowed due to a very debatable goaltender interference call.

 

Cole Schneider stood out as one of the hardest working players on the ice. In the fore-checking game he created multiple dangerous turnovers. He also drove the net hard constantly trying to bang home rebound chances. Even though Halak kept him out of the net, he separated himself from line mates Cal O’Reilly and Nick Baptiste, who looked like statues by comparison.

Mat Bodie vs St. Johns Ice Caps 3/3/2017 (Grade P)

In a game tainted by a lack of overall team effort, newcomer Mat Bodie played solid. Even though the Amerks were shutout he was able to make a positive offensive impact, and defensively there were very few holes in this game. I’m going to rate his performance a P for passive.

Offensively, I thought he played a very conservative game. A great deal of that comes from the aggressive risk taking example set by Fedun. Instead of long stretch passes, Bodie made several quick, deliberate passes on the breakout. When he had the opportunity dump the puck or skate all the way into the zone, he opted for short passes to his wingers waiting on the blue line. For this reason, I was surprised he was chosen over Fedun to lead the breakout on the first power play unit. Once they got setup, he cycled the puck quickly and moved very well; but was not a threat to shoot. That theme continued throughout the night. From the point, he only made a few attempts to shoot the puck into traffic. Each time a defender blocked his shot before it could get close to the net. I think he has very good offensive instincts, but I would like to see him play more aggressively going forward.

Defensively, Bodie fit in very well during his first game. He used his speed to get into good positions on the opponent’s rush to poke away the puck. On two occasions he made great recoveries and dropped to his knees cutting off the passing lane. Unfortunately on the second, the forward was able to lift the puck over him and Ullmark into the corner of the net. My only concern for Bodie came after the Ice Caps established possession in the offensive zone. When forwards took up residency in front of Ullmark he was not physical enough to move them away. Instead they were able to set up screens and create deflections. Even though he wasn’t able to generate enough power to muscle opponents in open ice, he was able to use his body well along the wall. Behind his net he was much more scrappy and was able to separate his man from the puck.

Overall I think that Bodie is a fantastic addition to the roster. Instead of playing along side Fedun, I think Mat is better suited to play a similar role on the second power play unit. The powerful slap shot of Mullen was definitely missed on the first. If he is willing to take a few more chances shooting the puck I think Bodie can make a big impact in Rochester.